"We haven't got loads of players and looking at the squad, there is every chance David Bentley could be back on the bench. He is in the running," Redknapp said.

"David hasn't even played a game this season. He has been injured since he went to West Ham, but I'm struggling to find seven subs."

Bentley's arrival at White Hart Lane for a then club record fee of £15million was surrounded by a great amount of hype.

The Peterborough-born winger was branded the "next David Beckham" after starring for Blackburn, but he fell down the pecking order following Redknapp's appointment in October 2008.

Probably the most memorable aspect of his Tottenham career under Redknapp was his decision to dump a tank full of water on his manager during a live interview which followed the club's qualification to the Champions League.

That move did not go down well with Redknapp, and Bentley was shipped out on loan to Birmingham, and then West Ham.

He was the subject of interest from npower League One side MK Dons in January, but Redknapp concedes he may have no other option than to call on the services of the 27-year-old in his team's run-in.

"I'm sure by the end of the season he will be back in the squad, or in the team. He is right back in the frame again," Redknapp said.